Protests Erupt in Serbia as Citizens Blame Corruption for Fatal Roof Collapse

In Serbia, anti-government protesters gathered in Belgrade on Monday, demanding accountability for a tragic incident. A concrete roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad earlier this month resulted in 14 deaths. The demonstrators called for the arrest and resignation of top officials, attributing the disaster to corruption and poor renovation work linked to Chinese state companies involved in infrastructure projects.

The protestors, numbering several thousand, insisted that Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his government resign. They also demanded the arrest of those responsible for the collapse. Although an investigation has been initiated and Serbia's construction minister resigned last week, no charges or arrests have been made regarding the November 1 incident.

Corruption Allegations and Public Outcry

Borislav Novakovic, a former mayor of Novi Sad, accused the ruling populists of profiting from corruption while causing loss of life. "The state was responsible for the crime that took 14 lives," he stated. The crowd responded with chants of "jail," expressing their anger and frustration over the situation.

The peaceful rally in Belgrade contrasted with a previous protest in Novi Sad. Last week, masked individuals threw rocks, bottles, and red paint at City Hall after a peaceful march. Police responded with tear gas to disperse the rioters.

Infrastructure Concerns and Political Tensions

The railway station in question was originally constructed in 1964 and underwent two renovations in recent years. It was inaugurated over two years ago by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as part of a planned fast train line between Belgrade and Budapest.

Government officials have assured full accountability for the incident. However, there is widespread scepticism due to the populists' control over both the police and judiciary. This has led to doubts about whether justice will be served.

The ongoing protests highlight public dissatisfaction with perceived corruption and lack of accountability within the government. As investigations continue, many are watching closely to see if any concrete actions will be taken against those responsible for the tragedy.